Carex pendula is a tall,
perennial plant which forms large, dense tufts. It can grow to 1.8 metres, occasionally reaching 2.4 metres. The smooth
stems are triangular in cross-section with rounded angles. The long, hairless
leaves are yellowish-green above and
glaucous below. They are 8–20 mm wide. The simple
flowers are borne on long, drooping,
catkin-like spikes. There are 1–2 male spikes at the top of the stem with usually 4–5 female spikes below them. The male spikes are 55–160 mm long while the females spikes are 50–260 mm long and 5–7 mm wide. The
fruits are green-brown and 3–5 mm long with a 1–2.5-mm beak. The plant typically flowers from May to June and fruits from June to July. It has been
introduced to
New Zealand and has begun to spread into the wild in the
United States, where it has been recorded from
Washington,
Virginia, and
California. ==References==